Mushroom and Spinach Barley Risotto

Barley risotto with mushroom and spinach is a great alternative to the traditional arborio rice risotto. Those 2 grains are quite similar in texture, although the barley is higher in fiber and lower in calories. In other words, it’s a bit healthier to eat your risotto with barley instead of rice. The coccion process is exactly the same as with the normal risotto. Simply need to lightly fry at first for the barley.

Talking mushrooms… As a kid, like many I suppose, I wasn’t a fan of mushrooms… mostly its texture. I wasn’t eating them, simply because I disliked the chewy, and rubbery texture they had. Later on, in college, I went to a restaurant, where they would fry half dehydrated big portobello mushroom with salt and garlic, and my mushroom scepticism magically disappeared! Not only it tasted way better, but the chewy texture was gone. So until today, I try to reproduce this texture when I use mushrooms, as a result, I often make mushrooms in the oven with just a little oil, salt and thyme. This way, it makes it lose all it’s water evaporate slowly and uniformly and gives it a bolder flavor and a much firmer texture. Plus, it needs way less oil to cook them this way.

I highly suggest for this recipe to cook the mushrooms apart in an oven tray, you simply have to add the mushroom when the risotto is ready in step 8. They both take about 20 minutes to cook, so it’s easy to synchronize. You’ll see they will taste sharper and feel better than those chewy versions. Also if you are not feeling like the big clean up session, you can always simply add the mushrooms at step 3. But then, I suggest adding oil, because they are quite little sponges those vegetables!

So let’s make this healthier risotto version!

Barley risotto with mushroom and spinach

Makes 3 portions

Ingredients

250g pearled barley

1 onions finely chopped

2 garlic cloves finely chopped

700ml of prewarmed vegetable broth

100ml of white wine (or apple cider)

300g of spinach

2 tbsp of olive oil

30g parmesan *if vegetarian use a vegetarian version

salt, pepper

The mushrooms

20 button mushrooms sliced and washed

2 tbsp of olive oil

thyme branches

salt

Directions

Bring the oven to 180°C (350F)

Start by making the mushrooms, mix all the ingredients in a bowl, add to baking sheet and let cook 20 minute at 180°C (350F)

In a big deep pan, soften the onion, medium high heat in olive oil (add little salt, helps to release the juice from the onion)

When translucent, add the garlic and the barley, let it fry in oil for a few minute, while mixing

When the barley is lightly toasted, add the wine (always moving with a spatula)

Then the warm broth to barely cover the barley, mix until no more broth and repeat

Cook for about 15 minutes, add the spinach

Cook another 5 minutes until al dente, adding little broth, when it get’s too dry, and mixing well

Stop the fire, add the mushrooms and the parmesan, salt and pepper, mix

Yes, roasting mushrooms is a million times better! I’ve been trying to convince my mom to stop steaming them 😒 it makes them so rubbery! Barley is one of my favourite grains and this looks like it has a really similar texture to risotto – everything is perfect about this dish, and I love the accessible ingredient list.